DENVER - The Regis University women's basketball team (3-1, 1-0 RMAC) easily handled the Mountain Lions of the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (0-4, 0-1 RMAC), 81-63, Sunday afternoon at the Gallogly Event Center in Colorado Springs. The team came away with their first Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) dub of the season.  

How it Happened: The Rangers were aided by a quick start and never looked back. A 3-pointer from Graduate student Tashika Burrell capped a 7-1 run to open scoring. The wings continued to light it up from behind the arc and went 66 percent through the first period. Freshman Athena Saragoza kept it going and capped the first 10 with a buzzer-beating triple to give Regis the double-digit lead. 

The Mountain Lions threatened in the second period with a 7-2 run, but Burrell killed their momentum when she drained a jumper at the 7:13 mark. RU kept pulling away and even increased their lead to as much as 17 when Junior Josey Ryan nailed a tre with four minutes to play in the half. UCCS cut down the deficit a bit, but the Rangers still had the 46-35 lead at the half.

Regis' defense forced the Mountain Lions to shoot 2-9 from the field and 0-1 from three in the third quarter. Comparatively, Regis sank seven field goals and a triple to balloon their lead to as much as 24 points before the final period began.

Another small comeback was attempted by UCCS, but it was too little too late for the Mountain Lions. More threes and solid work from sophomore Erin Fry put UCCS away soundly, 81-63.

Game Notes: Senior Erin Stroberg (5-8) was close to a double double as she grabbed eight boards (tied game-high) and scored 10 points.  

Ryan (7-12 FG, 3-6 3-PT) led all scores with 19 points. She nabbed six boards and scrapped up three steals in the contest.

Burrell (6-9 FG, 5-6 3-PT) was red-hot from behind the arc and racked up 18 points. She was all over the court as she took three steals and assisted her teammates on four baskets. 

Fry (4-4 FG, 1-1 3-PT, 3-3 FT) was absolutely perfect today. Her 12 points came in clutch moments while her four assists were a huge help.

Regis was 42 percent from the field and 44 percent from three today. They scored 11 points at the line and capitalized on 25 UCCS turnovers for 29 points. The bench produced 35 points for Regis and they never trailed in the contest. 

Up Next for the Rangers: The team returns home this coming Friday at 5 p.m. when they host the Western Washington University Vikings (3-0) at the Regis Field House.